Bowdoinhamlets

Saturday's KVBC ride from South China saw lots of hills, some ambiguous detours, bright blue skies, and lots and lots of splendid vistas. We also got to see some old friends who hadn't ridden with us in a while, including our leader, Paul, who decided he had recuperated enough to venture out and lead us on another fine ride. Thanks to Paul and everyone who turned out! This Sunday we will head out from Gardiner on one of our popular and traditional club rides to Bowdoinham, on a marked route no less! Hope you can join us! Sunday, August 24th - GARDINER "Biking to Bowdoinham" - a tour of the southern Kennebec Valley through Gardiner, Richmond and Bowdoinham. START: 9:00 AM, at the Laura Richards School, Rt. 201 in Gardiner, 1.5 miles south of the junction of Rt. 201 and Rt.s 126/9 (the junction near the A-1 Diner). The school is a modern brick building with a "spiked ball" sculpture, on the west side of Rt. 201, on the left past the Gardiner Armory (just as you enter the "thickly settled" area). Park in the lot on the north side of the school. DISTANCE: 40 miles. TERRAIN: Moderately hilly. HIGHLIGHTS: quiet back roads along streams and farmland south & west of Gardiner. LEADERS: Joe Renda, geologyjoe@gmail.com LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36860175

Back to Bowdoinham

It was cloudy and somewhat humid on the ride out of Liberty last Saturday, but the rains held off and we had a very nice ride over some unfamiliar roads with great scenery. Those of us who climbed up on Appleton Ridge got in some gravel riding as well. Many thanks to Paul, who was leading his first ride with the club, and to all who turned out. Next Sunday we will revisit one of our club favorites as we ride from Gardiner to Bowdoinham. If you haven't gotten your coronavirus vaccination yet please remember to wear a mask and observe distancing - with the new variants afoot we are not out of the woods yet. Hope to see you Sunday! Sunday, July 25th - GARDINER "Biking to Bowdoinham" - a tour of the southern Kennebec Valley through Gardiner, Richmond and Bowdoinham. START: 9:00 AM, at the Laura Richards School, Rt. 201 in Gardiner, 1.5 miles south of the junction of Rt. 201 and Rt.s 126/9 (the junction near the A-1 Diner). The school is a modern brick building with a "spiked ball" sculpture, on the west side of Rt. 201, on the left past the Gardiner Armory (just as you enter the "thickly settled" area). Park in the lot on the north side of the school. DISTANCE: 40 miles. TERRAIN: Moderately hilly. HIGHLIGHTS: quiet back roads along streams and farmland south & west of Gardiner. LEADERS: Joe Renda, geologyjoe@gmail.com LINK to ROUTE MAP (2015): http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6654861

Bowdoinham by Bike

We had a very pleasant ride Saturday from Vassalboro out to Albion, with another great turn-out.  Some riders even tackled the 50-mile option, despite the increasing heat of the day.  Many thanks to Peggy for leading, and to Paul for assisting with the longer route.  This Sunday will see cooler weather and the return of one of our popular rides from Gardiner down to Bowdoinham.  Please remember to stay on top of your coronavirus precautions: bring masks to wear in close quarters and maintain distancing, and please stay home if you are feeling sick.  Hope to see you Sunday!

Sunday, July 26th - GARDINER

"Biking to Bowdoinham" - a tour of the southern Kennebec Valley through Gardiner, Richmond and Bowdoinham.

START:  9:00 AM, at the Laura Richards School, Rt. 201 in Gardiner, 1.5 miles south of the junction of Rt. 201 and Rt.s 126/9 (the junction near the A-1 Diner).  The school is a modern brick building with a "spiked ball" sculpture, on the west side of Rt. 201, on the left past the Gardiner Armory (just as you enter the "thickly settled" area).  Park in the lot on the north side of the school.

DISTANCE:  40 miles.

TERRAIN:  Moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  quiet back roads along streams and farmland south & west of Gardiner.

LEADER:  Joe Renda, geologyjoe@gmail.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP (2015): http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6654861

Bowdoinham by Bike

It was excessively hot last Saturday on the hot dog ride from Kents Hill, but we managed to acquit ourselves admirably, especially in the hot dog consumption department. Many thanks to Patrick Cain and his cohorts at Kents Hill for treating us to hot dogs (as advertised) and smoothies and watermelon (unadvertised, and much appreciated on a hot day).  They all did a great job!  This Sunday we will set out on one of our most popular rides from Gardiner to Bowdoinham. Geology Joe is out marking the route, although he might not be able to ride with us on Sunday. Should be cooler than last week, thankfully, so we hope you can join us!

Sunday, July 28th - GARDINER

"Biking to Bowdoinham" - a tour of the southern Kennebec Valley through Gardiner, Richmond and Bowdoinham.

START:  9:00 AM, at the Laura Richards School, Rt. 201 in Gardiner, 1.5 miles south of the junction of Rt. 201 and Rt.s 126/9 (the junction near the A-1 Diner).  The school is a modern brick building with a "spiked ball" sculpture, on the west side of Rt. 201, on the left past the Gardiner Armory (just as you enter the "thickly settled" area).  Park in the lot on the north side of the school.

DISTANCE:  40 miles.

TERRAIN:  Moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  quiet back roads along streams and farmland south & west of Gardiner.

LEADERS:  Joe Renda, geologyjoe@gmail.com, Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

LINK to ROUTE MAP (2015): http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6654861

The Gardiner of Delights

This week we will close out our KVBC rides for July with our ever-popular tour to Bowdoinham. The ride starts at the Laura Richards School in Gardiner and takes many of the roads less-traveled down to Richmond and Bowdoinham. It's a ride that features quiet roads and great scenery, and should serve as a great prelude for our rides coming up in August! Hope you can join us!

Sunday, July 29th - GARDINER

"Biking to Bowdoinham" - a tour of the southern Kennebec Valley through Gardiner, Richmond and Bowdoinham.

START:  9:00 AM, at the Laura Richards School, Rt. 201 in Gardiner, 1.5 miles south of the junction of Rt. 201 and Rt.s 126/9 (the junction near the A-1 Diner).  The school is a modern brick building with a "spiked ball" sculpture, on the west side of Rt. 201, on the left past the Gardiner Armory (just as you enter the "thickly settled" area).  Park in the lot on the north side of the school.

DISTANCE:  40 miles.

TERRAIN:  Moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  quiet back roads along streams and farmland south & west of Gardiner.

LEADER:  Joe Renda, geologyjoe@gmail.com.

LINK to ROUTE MAP (2015): http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6654861

 

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  It is also recommended that you bring with you on KVBC rides:  a map of the area in case you stray off route; tools for simple roadside repairs, especially a tire pump, spare tube and/or patch kit; water bottles or hydration systems; personal ID and a small first aid kit; and money for purchasing snacks & drinks en-route.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.

 

We welcome suggestions for improving our rides and encourage active participation of all members.  For more information, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784 or hjmerrick@gmail.com, follow us on Facebook or check out "Posted Roads" - our club blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

Sunday in Bowdoinham

We had a nice, smooth ride last Saturday, most of which on fresh new pavement, from Farmington north to Strong and New Vineyard. Little traffic and great mountain and river views - a real Maine tour!  Many thanks to John MacDonald and his "crew" for a great ride.  This Sunday we will revisit a club favorite as we ride from Gardiner to Bowdoinham.  As always, we hope you can join us!

Sunday, July 31st - GARDINER

"Back Roads to Bowdoinham" - a tour of the southern Kennebec Valley through Gardiner, Richmond and Bowdoinham.

START:  9:00 AM, at the Laura Richards School, Rt. 201 in Gardiner, 1.5 miles south of the junction of Rt. 201 and Rt.s 126/9 (the junction near the A-1 Diner).  The school is a new brick building with a "spiked ball" sculpture, on the west side of Rt. 201, on the left past the Gardiner Armory (just as you enter the "thickly settled" area).  Park in the lot on the north side of the school.

DISTANCE:  40 miles.

TERRAIN:  Moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  quiet back roads along streams and farmland south & west of Gardiner.

LEADER:  Joe Renda.

LINK to ROUTE MAP (2015): http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6654861

 

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  It is also recommended that you bring with you on KVBC rides:  a map of the area in case you stray off route; tools for simple roadside repairs, especially a tire pump, spare tube and/or patch kit; water bottles or hydration systems; personal ID and a small first aid kit; and money for purchasing snacks & drinks en-route.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.

 

We welcome suggestions for improving our rides and encourage active participation of all members.  For more information, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784 or hjmerrick@gmail.com, or follow us on Facebook.

Back to Bowdoinham

We had a rather unseasonable ride around Lake Cobbossee on Saturday, and the cool, wet conditions kept our numbers down. But the weather wasn't all that bad, considering, and we had a good ride, thanks to John Lanoue, who actually rode to the start!  As a bonus, we had a surprise visit from Roger Rocque at the ride start (he later cheered us on when we passed his house) and we look forward to seeing Roger back on the road.  This Saturday, Joe Renda has volunteered to sub for Roger and lead the Gardiner to Bowdoinham ride - a club favorite.  Please note the 8:30 am start.  Also a heads up: we have swapped dates for the next two rides coming up in August - Larry Childs will be leading the Farmington ride on August 2 (not August 9 as originally scheduled) and Jim Merrick will be leading the Mount Vernon ride on August 9 (instead of August 2).  Lots of great riding ahead - see you Saturday!

Saturday, July 25th - GARDINER

"Back Roads to Bowdoinham" - a tour of the southern Kennebec Valley through Gardiner, Richmond and Bowdoinham.

START:  8:30 AM, at the Laura Richards School, Rt. 201 in Gardiner, 1.5 miles south of the junction of Rt. 201 and Rt.s 126/9 (the junction near the A-1 Diner).  The school is a new brick building with a "spiked ball" sculpture, on the west side of Rt. 201, on the left past the Gardiner Armory (just as you enter the "thickly settled" area).  Park in the lot on the north side of the school.

DISTANCE:  40 miles.

TERRAIN:  Moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  quiet back roads along streams and farmland south & west of Gardiner.

LEADER:  Joe Renda.

BCM CALENDAR LINK: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-back-roads-to-bowdoinham

 

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  It is also recommended that you bring with you on KVBC rides:  a map of the area in case you stray off route; tools for simple roadside repairs, especially a tire pump, spare tube and/or patch kit; water bottles or hydration systems; personal ID and a small first aid kit; and money for purchasing snacks & drinks en-route.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.

 

We welcome suggestions for improving our rides and encourage active participation of all members.  For more information, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, or follow us on Facebook.

Back Roads to Bowdoinham

We had terrific weather for the ride over the eastern extent of Augusta Saturday morning - sunny and dry, with little wind and low humidity.  We managed to take advantage of recent road work without the hassle of construction-in-progress, and the route was very pleasant.  Next Saturday's ride will start in Gardiner and head down to Bowdoinham and back - a bit longer than average (40 miles plus) but well worth the trip.  A REMINDER: the August 2 ride scheduled in Wilton has been CANCELLED, and we are working on an alternative.  We should know more by this weekend.  Hope to see you Saturday in Gardiner!

 

Saturday, July 26th - GARDINER

"Back Roads to Bowdoinham" - a tour of the southern Kennebec Valley through Gardiner, Richmond and Bowdoinham.

START:  9:00 AM, at the Laura Richards School, Rt. 201 in Gardiner, 1.5 miles south of the junction of Rt. 201 and Rt.s 126/9 (the junction near the A-1 Diner).  The school is a new brick building with a "spiked ball" sculpture, on the west side of Rt. 201, on the left past the Gardiner Armory (just as you enter the "thickly settled" area).  Park in the lot on the north side of the school.

DISTANCE:  40-45 miles.

TERRAIN:  Moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  quiet back roads along streams and farmland south & west of Gardiner.

LEADER:  Roger Rocque, rbrocque@aol.com.

 

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  It is also recommended that you bring with you on KVBC rides:  a map of the area in case you stray off route; tools for simple roadside repairs, especially a tire pump, spare tube and/or patch kit; water bottles or hydration systems; personal ID and a small first aid kit; and money for purchasing snacks & drinks en-route.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.

 

We welcome suggestions for improving our rides and encourage active participation of all members.  For more information, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, or follow us on Facebook.

Gardiner to Bowdoinham

At the general store in Bowdoinham

 

We had a great ride Saturday in Rome - once we stopped counting the hills.  There were five of us who did the seven hills, and then some.  Fortunately most of the climbing was in shade, and the heat began to moderate a bit with a nice breeze - the harbinger of beautiful weather to start the week.  We have another fine stretch of weather ahead, by all accounts, and another classic ride to Bowdoinham coming up this Saturday.  Summer is definitely here, so get out and get on your bike and join us!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, July 27th - GARDINER

"Biking to Bowdoinham" - a tour of the southern Kennebec Valley through Gardiner, Richmond and Bowdoinham.

START:  9:00 AM, at the Laura Richards School, Rt. 201 in Gardiner, 1.5 miles south of the junction of Rt. 201 and Rt.s 126/9 (the junction near the A-1 Diner).  The school is a new brick building with a "spiked ball" sculpture, on the west side of Rt. 201, on the left past the Gardiner Armory (just as you enter the "thickly settled" area).  Park in the lot on the north side of the school.

DISTANCE:  40-45 miles.

TERRAIN:  Moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  quiet back roads along streams and farmland south & west of Gardiner.

LEADER:  Joe Renda.

 

 

For more information on the KVBC, contact Jim Merrick at  hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out our Facebook page.

Gardiner to Bowdoinham

Entering Bowdoinham

 

 

 

 

We had a great ride Saturday in Rome - once we stopped counting the hills.  There were seven of us who did the seven hills, and then some.  Fortunately most of the climbing was in shade, as the morning gave way to mid-day heat and humidity.  We have another fine stretch of weather ahead, by all accounts, and another classic ride to Bowdoinham coming up next Sunday.  Summer is definitely here, so get out and get on your bike and join us!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, July 15th - GARDINER

"Biking to Bowdoinham" - a tour of the southern Kennebec Valley through Gardiner, Richmond and Bowdoinham.

START:  9:00 AM, at the Laura Richards School, Rt. 201 in Gardiner, 1.5 miles south of the junction of Rt. 201 and Rt.s 126/9 (the junction near the A-1 Diner).  The school is a new brick building with a "spiked ball" sculpture, on the west side of Rt. 201, on the left past the Gardiner Armory (just as you enter the "thickly settled" area).  Park in the lot on the north side of the school.

DISTANCE:  40-45 miles.

TERRAIN:  Moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  quiet back roads along streams and farmland south & west of Gardiner.

LEADER:  Joe Renda.

 

 

Bowdoinham by Bike

Splendid weekend weather and a great breakfast ride in Augusta made for some really fine cycling for everyone who made it to Sunday's KVBC ride. The early morning ride start was not too hot, and some of the bikes that showed up were really cool - Peggy practically stole the show with her funky Rans semi-recumbent with electric motor assist. Only recently configured, she had already put 600 miles on it, and she was talking about tackling Cadillac Mountain!

Many thanks to Connie for leading the ride and once again opening her house to us for a post-ride breakfast which was much appreciated! Her porch is a great place to chill out after a nice ride, and the kitchen fare is great, too.

We have a great ride coming up this Saturday in Gardiner, heading down the coast to Bowdoinham - a great tune-up ride for the BCM Lobster Ride the following weekend. Rumor has it that we are finally in for a string of really fine weekend biking weather. Hope you can all join us!

Saturday, July 16th - GARDINER

"Biking to Bowdoinham" - a tour of the southern Kennebec Valley through Gardiner, Richmond and Bowdoinham.

START: 10:00 AM, at the Laura Richards School, Rt. 201 in Gardiner, 1.5 miles south of the junction of Rt. 201 and Rt.s 126/9 (the junction near the A-1 Diner). The school is a new brick building with a "spiked ball" sculpture, on the west side of Rt. 201, on the left past the Gardiner Armory (just as you enter the "thickly settled" area). Park in the lot on the north side of the school.

DISTANCE: 40-45 miles.

TERRAIN: Moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS: quiet back roads along streams and farmland south & west of Gardiner.

LEADER: Joe Renda.

Gardiner to Bowdoinham by Bike

We had a very pleasant ride in Smithfield yesterday. The weather held up nicely - not quite as hot as the past week, with lots of shade and a nice breeze. Beautiful roads, especially the great run along the shore of North Pond, with virtually no traffic. We met some other cyclists mid-ride, visiting for the summer, and stopped to chat and talk-up rides - they may join us on a few coming up. Speaking of which, we have a great one coming up this Saturday in Gardiner, heading down the coast to Bowdoinham - a great tune-up ride for the BCM Lobster Ride the following weekend. Hope you can all join us!

Saturday, July 17th - GARDINER

"Biking to Bowdoinham" - a tour of the southern Kennebec Valley through Gardiner, Richmond and Bowdoinham.

START: 10:00 AM, at the Laura Richards School, Rt. 201 in Gardiner, 1.5 miles south of the junction of Rt. 201 and Rt.s 126/9 (the junction near the A-1 Diner). The school is a new brick building with a "spiked ball" sculpture, on the west side of Rt. 201, on the left past the Gardiner Armory (just as you enter the "thickly settled" area). Park in the lot on the north side of the school.

DISTANCE: 40-45 miles.

TERRAIN: Moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS: quiet back roads along streams and farmland south & west of Gardiner.

LEADER: Joe Renda.